Just Hanging With The Pets...

The other day I found myself in the company of our pets. This is not unusual, but on this particular day, it was like the animals wanted their pictures taken. To be honest, I have no idea if pets ever want their pictures taken. That didn't stop me from doing it, though.

First, the poodle. He's just a joy to be around. Yes, he's also a handful, but that's what makes him so much fun. It's his personality and we are lucky to have him. He had his favorite squishy ball in his mouth and we ended up on the couch. I took out my phone and snapped a selfie. I don't take a lot of selfies and we don't take many pictures of the dog--he does tend to move around a lot.

A few hours later, I was sitting in my room when our cat came climbing up on the bed. He nestled into his favorite spot and I thought it would be a good time to snap another picture. The cat is our newest addition. He's actually my daughter and youngest son's pet, but he likes hanging around people, and since he's settled down (he no longer wants to rip us to shreds, or if he does, he refrains...), it's nice to have him close.

Last week we had four pets, two cats and two dogs. Now, we're down to three. There's a lot of joy and happy times when we welcome a new member into the family, and there's a lot of pain and tears when one leaves. I'm glad we have the ones we have. They add a lot to the craziness that is our lives. And as long as they want to hang out with us--and I have my phone--I'll probably keep taking pictures.

A Right Place...To Write

I think every writer dreams of a couple of things. They dream of seeing their book on a bookstore shelf. They dream of having the title of their book listed on a NYT bestseller list. They dream of receiving a notice from a fan telling them how much they loved their story. And they would love to see the story turned into a major motion picture.

Okay, maybe not every writer dreams of these things, but I can imagine they dream of some of those things. I personally know a few authors who have done so well, they've upgraded their homes, and when they do, they create--as best they can--a perfect place to write. They build these rooms where the muse is always invited and will hopefully, reside in the space full-time.

When we designed and built our home in 2003, I had no aspirations of being a writer. So, I didn't think about having a home office. But the other day, I think I found a good spot to write.

Normally, I do most of my writing in bedroom. It's a good place to write for me, when the cat isn't climbing on my computer. Of course, the cat could climb on my computer wherever I ended up writing. The room is good, but there could be better locations. The place I found was our loft.

The loft in our house was built as a place to homeschool our kids. For six years, before we moved in, we lived in a basement apartment. One thing we wanted when we built our house was a homeschool room with windows. We definitely got that.

That morning was the only morning I wrote up there. I'd like to think I'll do it again someday. And who knows, if I ever see my book on a bookstore shelf, or see the title on the NYT bestseller list, or see my story be made into a movie, maybe I'll build that perfect writing space. I'd like to think it would be in a loft.

What Really Is The Best Pizza Deal...?

With certain things, I'm what some call frugal, or what others call cheap. Personally, I don't mind either title. Hopefully, my kids will carry on the tradition. It's good to appreciate the value of things.

Looking for clothes at thrift stores is one example of my frugalness (or cheapness...). Getting the most out of a meal, is another.

Take, for example, pizza.

My wife and I had a Date Night last Friday. We went to a local pizza place, Blaze Pizza. If you're not familiar with the eatery, think of it as getting a personalized pizza in almost the same amount of time as it takes to get a burger at McDonald's or a sub at Subway. They have the process down and it's pretty slick.

The pizzas are not big--usually only big enough for a single meal. Me? No--there's no single meal for what I order. They have a build-your-own option, and I take full advantage. I get the thicker crust and load it up with all the meat topics they got. Throw in some veggies and I'm good. It's so thick, I can usually only eat about a third of the thing in one sitting. My math skills are not great, but even I know, that means I can get three meals out of this thing.

I was texting with a friend on Monday. I told him I was having leftover Blaze Pizza. He didn't know about Blaze. I explained who they were and the product. Then he said, "You can't beat the Hot-and-Ready Little Caesars Pizza Deal."

That's where I beg to differ.

I think you can.

I should be honest here. I haven't had a Little Caesar's Pizza in years. Personally, I like their pizzas, but food sensitivities have kept us from the restaurant. Their small pizza is 10" and the Blaze personal pizzas I think are 8". Because I get the thick crust it's a couple of dollars more so we're looking at a Blaze pizza around $10. I can get three meals out of that pizza. I don't know if the came could be said for the Hot-and-Ready option.

All of this doesn't really mean anything, really. My friend stops by his Little Caesar's place on the way home. He gets food for his family and they like it. I order my favorite pizza at a place that's local to us and I like it multiple times. As long as we're both happy, right?

If you haven't tried Blaze, I say give it a shot. But, if you do, the place is packed on the weekends--at least, ours is. That's usually a sign people like the food, and therefore, agree with me.

The Pros...And Cons...Of Telecommuting

I'm working my second winter at home. Since last winter was my first, there was a lot of "trial by error" learning going on. I had never before spent a significant amount of time in the basement during the winter--I knew it was cold (since it's unheated...), but I didn't know just how cold.

Now, we're not talking below freezing or anything close. I mean, we have insulation in the ceiling and some of the walls. But, that first winter, it was cold. It was so cold there were times when I had to wear coats and fingerless gloves.

I'd like to think I learn as I get older. When it comes to my work situation, I learned a lot. The single biggest thing I did to improve the working conditions was to move my desk. Before, it was in the middle of the room. Now, it's up against two walls in the basement. I have a single space heater tucked under the desk. I had the same heater last year, but the new configuration has helped immensely. This year, when I'm close to the heater, I don't even know how cold the rest of the room is--I'm toasty warm.

So, a few pros and cons of my telecommuting situation. 

Pro: ninety second commute time

Con: have to supply my own treats at my desk--no snaking from others

Pro: being able to work a full shift even when office workers don't have to come in until noon

Con: having to work a full shift even when office workers don't have to come in until noon

Pro: don't have to dig out my car to go to work in bad weather

Con: surrounded by food storage and not fun co-workers

These are just some "off the top of my head" thoughts. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. Life is a balance of give and take, of advantages and disadvantages, of pros and cons. Today, it was a little chilly, but I also didn't have to risk climb in my car and take my chances on the road. For me, the pros totally outweigh the cons, even in an unfinished basement in the winter.

Sitting In On A Table Read...Love The Creative Process

Years ago, a local film director asked if I wanted to sit in on a table read for an upcoming feature film he was going to direct. A few days before the event, I got sick and when the time came, I decided not to go, even though I most likely could have. I've often wondered what that experience would be like. Whenever I hear of others who got to participate in a table read, I've always felt bad that I'd missed out.

Last week, a call went out for another table read, different filmmakers this time. When I saw the announcement I immediately volunteered to be part of it. The reading was set up so the creators of the story to hear their story read aloud. As a writer, I try and read aloud what I've written as much as I can. There's so much you can pick up from hearing a story read. And, as a writer, I know that you get so familiar with the story, you miss things. Having others read your story helps to find problems and issues you'd normally miss.

We met in Draper. I can count the times on one hand I've ever been to the city. I've driven by it many many times, but not the city itself. There were a half a dozen of us readers. We all read multiple parts. It took several hours. Your standard feature film screenplay is between 100 to 120 pages long and this one fit in exactly that length.

The others around the table were like me, people with varying degrees of performing experience. One character in the story had a strong Scottish accent. I was chosen to read that part--I didn't even try the accent.

The script was funny, tender, brutal (the story, not the way it was written...), and it had complex characters with strong motivations and understandable actions. Parts of the ending took me by surprise as well. 

I am a part of a couple of writing groups. I love being part of the creative process, even though I didn't write this particular story. The film played out in my mind as we read. It's a good story, a strong story. I have no idea if this particular film will get made. I hope it does. I know the filmmakers will do an excellent job.

The first time I was asked to be part of a table read for a film, I turned it down. I didn't this time and I'm glad I didn't.

Turns Out One Of My Favorite Web Sites Is...The Babylon Bee

Okay, so since the football season is officially over, I guess it's confession time.

I am a fan of the Babylon Bee.

I know, I know. In certain circles, it's not "cool" to be a fan of this particular web site, but I can't help it. It's one of the most creative sites out there. The things they come up with are, at times, brilliant.

My friend Steve and I spend time sending texts. Sometimes, I will take a screenshot of a Babylon Bee tweet and send it over to him. The pictures I've collected here is a couple of week's worth. 

Like I said, it's not everyone's cup of tea, and for some, I think it's very offensive. But, if we can't laugh at ourselves, then who are we going to laugh at?

Exactly.

Hanging Out At Grandma's...

Earlier in the week, my wife and I went over to her mother's house. We were asked over to help with a couple of projects.

And we were glad to do it.

My mother-in-law's gone through many life-changing moments since I first met her daughter. The biggest being, she and her husband left the neighborhood where they'd live for decades and moved twenty miles north, to the small town where I grew up. They, like my wife, fell in love with the community. And in the past three or four years, my mother-in-law's gone through many more changes.

While my wife and her mother worked on one project, I worked on a new bench she bought for her front hallway. It was fun to put it together (much simpler than something one gets at Ikea...). And it looks fantastic in the hall. She does have good taste.

I snapped a picture.

We finished up the projects and I started looking at other interesting things to photograph. My mother-in-law asked me what I was doing. I told her I was looking for shots, looking a things around her house to see if it would make an interesting picture.

It was outside I found the picture I used as my "Pic Of The Day." I thought a few remaining leaves from a tree looked cool. 

One thing I like about photography is finding beauty if places where you might not expect. It's like you're on a quest for something you may have missed, a treasure hunt that doesn't always pay off, but is fun taking the journey.

Out of the trip, I found four pictures I liked. There's nothing necessarily spectacular about any of them, but I like them. Just hanging out at Grandma's.